Understanding the Causes of Dry Eye and How to Manage Them

Dry eye is a common and often frustrating condition that affects millions of people, causing symptoms such as burning, itching, watering, and blurred vision. While occasional dryness might be manageable with over-the-counter drops, chronic dry eye can significantly interfere with your daily life. At Texas State Optical Liberty, we’re here to help you understand the root causes of dry eye and offer advanced treatments to bring long-lasting relief.

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or when the tears produced are of poor quality and evaporate too quickly. Some of the most common causes include:

•        Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): The meibomian glands line your eyelids and secrete oils that keep your tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or aren’t functioning properly, it can lead to dry eye symptoms.

•        Age and Hormonal Changes: As we age, our tear production naturally decreases. Hormonal changes, especially in women during menopause, can also contribute to dry eyes.

•        Environmental Factors: Spending time in dry, windy climates or extended periods in front of screens can lead to increased tear evaporation and eye strain.

•        Contact Lens Use: Wearing contact lenses for prolonged periods may reduce tear film stability and irritate the eyes.

•        Medical Conditions and Medications: Conditions like autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sjögren’s syndrome) and medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs can contribute to dryness.

Managing Dry Eye Starts with the Right Diagnosis

Every patient’s eyes are unique, which is why we begin with a comprehensive dry eye evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. This includes advanced diagnostic tools such as InflammaDry, which detects elevated levels of inflammation; TearLab, which measures tear osmolarity to assess tear film stability; and meibomian gland photography, which allows us to visualize gland structure and function. With this thorough evaluation, we can accurately diagnose the type and severity of dry eye you’re experiencing. From there, we’ll recommend a personalized treatment plan to restore comfort and improve your quality of life.

Advanced Dry Eye Treatments

At Texas State Optical Liberty, we offer advanced, non-invasive therapies tailored to your specific needs to provide long-lasting comfort and improve eye health. One of the most effective treatments we offer is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy. IPL targets inflammation and helps open blocked meibomian glands, which are responsible for producing the oil layer in your tear film. By improving oil flow, IPL helps reduce tear evaporation and is especially effective for patients with rosacea or meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Another innovative option is Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT). This treatment uses gentle light energy to stimulate the meibomian glands and reduce inflammation. LLLT promotes natural tear production and helps restore balance to the tear film, making it an excellent solution for chronic dry eye sufferers.

We also provide the TearCare® System, a targeted heat therapy designed to treat the eyelids directly. The system applies controlled, therapeutic warmth to the meibomian glands, followed by gentle expression to clear blockages. This process helps restore normal gland function and significantly improves tear quality.

Lastly, MiBo Thermoflo is a comfortable, in-office treatment that uses a heated wand to deliver continuous warmth to the eyelids. This therapy gently melts gland blockages and encourages healthier oil production, which plays a critical role in stabilizing the tear film and reducing dry eye symptoms.

Find Lasting Relief from Dry Eye at Texas State Optical Liberty

With the right diagnosis and advanced, targeted treatments, lasting relief is possible. We’re committed to helping you get to the root of your symptoms and create a plan that works for you.

If you’re struggling with dry, irritated, or watery eyes, schedule a consultation at Texas State Optical Liberty and take the first step toward relief. Visit our office in Liberty, Texas, or call (936) 336-2273 to book an appointment today.